Days off with Sally: Oakland’s Lakeside Park, coffee, and happy little trees

Lake Merritt, Oakland’s brackish, U-shaped landmark near downtown and uptown (depending on where you’re standing), has been part of my life since I lived in New York City years ago. I visited San Francisco often for business, and always made time to visit my best friend in Oakland. A walk in Lakeside Park often figured in our plans, along with a stop for fried chicken at the late, lamented Merritt Bakery. We didn’t have chicken like that in NYC.

Years later, after stints in other California towns, north and south, I moved to Oakland. My first place was near Harrison and Grand, and Lake Merritt reentered my life.

On this day off, I decided to visit my old neighborhood, including Lakeside Park.